Releasing the Full Potential of Cannabis through Biotechnology

Li Li; Shuhao Yu; Jiquan Chen; Chaohua Cheng; Jian Sun; Ying Xu; Canhui Deng; Zhigang Dai; Zemao Yang; Xiaojun Chen; Qing Tang; Jianguang Su; Xiaoyu Zhang

doi:10.3390/agronomy12102439

Agronomy (Oct 2022)

Releasing the Full Potential of Cannabis through Biotechnology

Li Li,
Shuhao Yu,
Jiquan Chen,
Chaohua Cheng,
Jian Sun,
Ying Xu,
Canhui Deng,
Zhigang Dai,
Zemao Yang,
Xiaojun Chen,
Qing Tang,
Jianguang Su,
Xiaoyu Zhang

Affiliations

Li Li: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Shuhao Yu: Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
Jiquan Chen: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Chaohua Cheng: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Jian Sun: School of Life Sciences, Nantong University, Nantong 226000, China
Ying Xu: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Canhui Deng: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Zhigang Dai: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Zemao Yang: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Xiaojun Chen: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Qing Tang: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Jianguang Su: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China
Xiaoyu Zhang: Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102439
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 10
p. 2439

Abstract

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Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) is a dioecious plant cultivated worldwide for thousands of years. Besides the narcotic and therapeutic effects, Cannabis can be used as raw materials in multiple fields, including bioenergy, textiles, food, and ecological restoration. It is also an efficient bioremediation agent for contaminated soil, as well as greenhouse gas absorption. With the expansion of the market, there has been an increased demand to develop Cannabis cultivars with enhanced traits. As a major science breakthrough, the advent of the CRISPR/Cas system will revolutionize the basic and applied research in Cannabis. This article provides an overview of the recent advances in the optimization of a transformation system and in the gene editing of Cannabis. To achieve the full potential of this environmentally friendly and sustainable crop, we highlight future directions of genetic modification as well as several bottlenecks to overcome.

Published in Agronomy

ISSN: 2073-4395 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/agronomy

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